Changes in muscle strength in women following the menopause: a longitudinal assessment of the efficacy of hormone replacement therapy

Abstract

The effects of hormone deficiency at the menopause on muscle strength was examined in 10 healthy middle-aged women (1-3 years post-menopause) in a longitudinal trial over 39 weeks. Performance was compared with that of age-matched females (n=11) taking a course of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Muscle strength of the quadriceps was measured isometrically at 90 degrees of knee flexion and at angular velocities of 1.05, 2.09 and 3.13 rad/s using an isokinetic dynamometer. Hand grip strength was assessed by means of a portable dynamometer. Measurements were taken every 13 weeks for 39 weeks. Significant decreases in isometric strength (-10%) and dynamic leg strength at 1.05 rad/s (-9%) were found in the post-menopausal women over 39 weeks. There was no change in strength in the HRT group. There were also no changes in leg strength at higher angular velocities or in grip strength for either the post-menopausal group or those taking HRT. While HRT preserved muscle strength, there was no evidence of a strengthening effect on skeletal muscle within this short period of treatment. A rapid loss of leg strength occurs post-menopausally in hormone-depleted women. HRT may offer protection against muscle weakness, although the hormone responsible for regulating strength is not evident using this model.

Six months of isoflavone supplement increases fat-free mass in obese–sarcopenic postmenopausal women: a randomized double-blind controlled trial

“…Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) has been shown to promote the maintenance or increase total fat-free mass (FFM) (Haarbo et al, 1991;Greeves et al, 1999;Skelton et al, 1999). As such, estrogens may have a direct effect on muscle via its estrogen receptors (Lemoine et al, 2003).…”

Raloxifene and body composition and muscle strength in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

“…Studies have shown that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prevents the shift in body fat distribution to a more central location (5)(6)(7) and diminishes the loss of muscle strength (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Unfortunately, HRT use is accompanied by adverse side effects, such as an increased risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease (16), and for this reason its long-term use is not advocated.…”

Muscle strength and tibolone: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

“…The majority of the trials focused on small muscle groups. The two latest studies reported a protective 13 and an increasing effect on muscle strength 14 supporting the applicability of hormone replacement therapy to preserve muscle strength. Our results confirm the positive outcome of Skelton's study 14 , in which conjugated oestrogens in combination with medroxyprogesterone acetate were used.…”

“…An explanation for this discrepancy might be the large variations in study design and study drug used 12 . The two most recent studies report a protective effect of hormone replacement therapy on loss of muscle strength 13 and a strength-increasing effect 14 .…”